America’s Next Top Pro Model: Event Preview

July 16, 2009

What is America’s Next Top Pro Model?

America’s Next Top Pro Model is a one-of-a-kind event created by SNOWBOARDER Magazine to highlight the abilities of those elite riders who have been bestowed with the honor of having a signature model snowboard. Over the course of two days, twenty-plus pros will compete in six seemingly simple events to determine whose board is the best performing pro model out there. Let the games begin!

Events:

Highest Ollie:As the most established guard in modern-day snowboarding, our America’s Next Top Pro Model contenders were invited because at one point in their careers, they have set the bar for freestyle progression. Ironically, up on the Timberline glacier, we will set the bar for them, and they gotta get over it to avoid elimination. The format is simple: Whichever participant can ollie the highest takes this event, garnering points toward their overall score, and barstool bragging rights that they undoubtedly got mad hops.

Spin-to-Win: This simple soccer mom mantra is one of the pivotal disciplines at America’s Next Top Pro Model, as the participant who completes the most rotations in one jump will be crowned victorious. Though there’s no telling who may take this thing, it’s sure to entertain the crowd once these on-hill heavyweights wind up and let ‘er rip.

Who to Watch:–Eero Ettala–Louie Vito–Pat Moore–Danny Kass

Biggest Air:Our America’s Next Top Pro Model participants will battle it out in the pipe, and one will walk away with the Biggest Air title under his belt. Whoever goes the biggest is the best in this discipline, and it’s sure to be one of the most-watched sessions during the three day, invite-only event. The “biggest” names in snowboarding literally try to prove it as these one-hit wonders take to the sky.

Longest Railslide:In the Longest Railslide venue, recognition is rewarded to the rider who logs the longest distance. The hour-long jam session format is sure to heat up on the Windell’s park lane, as all the tick-tack trickery these dudes can dole out won’t count for shit. Basically, long and smooth will get these guys a lot farther than short and phat.

Chinese Downhill:All that’s required to win the Chinese Downhill is a need…a need for speed. Most don’t know that straight-lining the Palmer Snowfield is a daunting task, even to these seasoned shreds. Mogul fields, ankle-deep slush and leg burning agony are all a testament to the dexterity and resolve it will take to win. Already the most talked-about event among the competitors, this balls-out, no-holds-barred, face-melting boardercross is gonna be a fight to the finish. The only problem is, once you’ve had your fill of the Chinese Downhill, you’ll want to do it again half an hour later.

Charity Auction:The Charity Auction is the one event at America’s Next Top Pro Model where paramount relies more on popularity than performance, thereby making it a real popularity contest. The ANTPM attendees will auction off their boards (with proceeds benefiting the charity of their choice), and whichever pro model goes for the highest price to one lucky Windell’s camper takes the top spot in this event, and a quick dose of braggadocio among their peers.

Best Overall:Upon the commencement of America’s Next Top Pro Model, the judges will tally the riders’ overall results from each discipline: Biggest Air, Spin-to-Win, Longest Railslide, Indigenous Asian Downhill and The Charity Auction, and the participant with the best overall score will be declared the winner of America’s Next Top Pro Model. With a list of the heaviest names in snowboarding signed up to go head-to-head, be sure to stay tuned to snowboardermag.com for daily updates and pick up a copy of our November issue to see the full feature in print.

Scoring:For the five on-hill events, the scoring is 500 points for first, 250 for second and 100 for third. Those riders who compete but aren’t competitive enough to make the podium will each be awarded 50 points. The last scored event is the off-hill charity auction being held at Windells on the evening of the 19th. For each dollar earned in the sale, a point will go towards that rider’s overall score, bringing them that much closer to earning the America’s Next Top Pro Model Overall title.